Beicker said discipline was not a criminal matter

By Sarah Matott

The Daily Record

Posted:
07/25/2017 10:15:57 AM MDT

(FCSO)

FCSO officers placed on leave this year

While the four new officers to be placed on leave are not because of criminal reasons, some cases have resulted in criminal investigations and court cases, others have been dismissed, with officers returning back to work.

The first case was that of former detective Robert Dodd, who was placed on leave in January — and retired April 23 — after evidence from a 2006 homicide was found in a personal storage unit that previously belonged to him.

One month after Dodd, Lt. Bruce Briscoe was placed on leave after the CBI launched an investigation into a relationship he allegedly had in 1999 with a 17-year-old girl. Because the district attorney's office was unable to file charges, Briscoe has returned to his regular employment status.

In March, Patrol Officer Sgt. Arin Hart became the third officer to be placed on leave after he was accused of unfairly arresting people for driving under the influence. As of June, Hart was on leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation.

Two months later, Cpl. Brandon Tilley, 44, was placed on leave after he was arrested for child abuse and third-degree assault. Tilley will appear in court August 28 for a plea hearing.

Deputy Tyler Mattson also was placed on leave in May after a complaint was filed with the sheriff's office. Mattson returned to regular duty, however, after a FCSO investigation found that allegations made against him were unfounded.

In June, Deputy Brody Koch became the sixth officer to be placed on leave after he allegedly misused force during an arrest.

The latest incident involved Detention Deputy Sarah Brassfield, 37, of Cañon City, who was arrested and summons with child abuse after she allegedly left her two foster children in a parked car while she met with a case worker, according to the arrest affidavit.

Four officers with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office were placed on leave this week because of an internal department issue -— not a criminal matter.

FCSO Sheriff Jim Beicker said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon that a lot of misinformation and rumors are spreading on social media regarding the last round of officers to be placed on leave.

The officers placed on leave are all supervisory staff of the patrol division at the FCSO and includes Sgt. Dave Baroz, Sgt. Felix Montoya, Sgt. Chad Myers and Cpl. Bradley Ross.

This year, 11 officers at the FCSO have been placed on leave for an array of reasons. One of the officers already has returned to work.

Beicker on Tuesday explained that he cannot discuss the reasons the officers were placed on paid leave, but he does intend to speak with each officer about what has happened.

He said issues can arise internally and cause officers to be placed on leave all the time in departments across Colorado and the U.S., but no one ever knows or hears about it.

"(Since) we've been under this amount of scrutiny, you know about it," he said.

Beicker also addressed the "scrutiny" the department has gone through this year. He said that many of the incidents that have happened this last year are inappropriate for him to discuss with the public and media because they are still under investigation or under ongoing legal issues.

"We are transparent ... we get information to the public when it's needed," he said, adding that he is always open to giving tours of the detention center and meeting with people to talk.

However, when asked why he hasn't returned phone calls and emails from local media, Beicker said the things being asked of him by local media are inappropriate.

"If they become appropriate, then I will discuss them," he said.

When asked if the news conference conducted Tuesday was a political move, Beicker said no and that he's not someone who seeks media attention or the camera.

"I've been sheriff for 15 years ... if I wasn't doing my job then I wouldn't be addressing these issues that have come up," he said.

Beicker also addressed a group, the Fremont Freedom Fighters, who made efforts this year to recall Beicker as sheriff, saying it's their right to do so.

He also said the citizens of Fremont County should know that good officers are out every day patrolling and keeping the county safe. He said this year hasn't been a good one for the sheriff's office, but they are still doing their job.

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